Your Guide to Weekdays in Japanese: A Fun and Engaging Breakdown!
So, you’ve decided to learn Japanese? Sugoi! (That means “amazing!” in case you didn’t know.) Whether you’re trying to impress your friends, prep for your dream Japan trip, or just add another skill to your ever-growing list of hobbies (because who doesn’t have at least five side projects these days?), learning the Japanese days of the week is a great place to start.
But here’s the thing—Japanese weekdays aren’t just “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday” in a different language. Oh no, my friend. They’re linked to the elements, planets, and a whole lot of cool history. So buckle up, grab a matcha latte, and let’s explore the seven days of the Japanese week—with a little humor, of course.
Wait… How Do You Say “Day” in Japanese?
Before we dive into the actual days, let’s cover the basics. The word for “day” in Japanese is 日 (nichi) or sometimes 曜 (yō) when talking about weekdays. This will come in handy as we break things down.
Monday (月曜日 – Getsuyōbi)
Ever feel like Monday is a black hole sucking away your weekend joy? Yeah, Japan feels that too. But at least they named it after the moon (月 – getsu). So technically, Monday is “Moon Day.” Sounds way cooler, right? Like something straight out of a sci-fi novel.
Fun fact: The kanji for “moon” also means “month” in Japanese. So, every time you complain about Monday blues, just imagine the moon chilling up there, whispering, It’s not my fault, bro.
Tuesday (火曜日 – Kayōbi)
If Monday is the moon, Tuesday is FIRE! Literally. The word 火 (ka) means “fire,” making Tuesday “Fire Day.” Sounds intense, right? Like a day where everything should be explosive and exciting… but let’s be real, it’s mostly just an extension of Monday’s suffering.
Historical note: The fire reference comes from Mars, which in old Chinese and Japanese astronomy was known as the “Fire Star.” So technically, Tuesday is Martian day. (Cue the UFO conspiracy theories.)
Wednesday (水曜日 – Suiyōbi)
After burning up on Tuesday, we cool down on Wednesday with 水 (sui), meaning “water.” This makes Wednesday Water Day. It’s kind of poetic if you think about it—balancing out the intensity of fire with something calm and refreshing.
Also, Wednesday is named after Mercury (the planet, not the liquid metal), which was associated with speed and communication in Roman mythology. So if you need a day to get your emails sorted or speed-run your to-do list, this is it.
Thursday (木曜日 – Mokuyōbi)
Alright, time to get earthy. Thursday is 木 (moku), which means “wood.” That makes Thursday Wood Day. Now, if you’re picturing a group of trees having a secret meeting about how to reclaim the planet, you’re not alone.
In astrological terms, Thursday is linked to Jupiter, which was associated with growth, expansion, and wisdom. So maybe, just maybe, Thursday is the perfect day to plant new ideas (or just finally start that book you bought three years ago).
Friday (金曜日 – Kinyōbi)
Ahh, 金 (kin), the kanji for “gold.” Friday is Gold Day—because what better way to celebrate the end of the workweek than with something valuable?
Not surprisingly, Friday is linked to Venus, the planet of beauty, love, and indulgence. That’s right—Friday is scientifically the best day for self-care, good food, and making questionable online purchases. (Treat yourself, you deserve it!)
Saturday (土曜日 – Doyōbi)
The weekend has arrived! And in Japan, Saturday is Earth Day. No, not the environmental awareness day—土 (do) literally means “earth” or “soil.” So while you’re out there enjoying your weekend, just remember that the universe named this day after dirt.
Saturday is also associated with Saturn, the god of time, discipline, and structure. But let’s be honest, nobody is thinking about discipline on a Saturday. (Except maybe the people hitting the gym while the rest of us are watching anime in bed.)
Sunday (日曜日 – Nichiyōbi)
And finally, we reach Sunday, the OG of days. In Japanese, 日 (nichi) means “sun,” so Sunday is Sun Day. Makes perfect sense, right?
It’s a bright, happy end to the week (or beginning, depending on how you see it), and it’s linked to—surprise, surprise—the Sun. Ancient cultures often saw the sun as a symbol of power and divinity. So go forth and embrace your inner solar energy! (Or just nap all day, that’s fine too.)
Quick Cheat Sheet: Japanese Weekdays
If all of that felt like too much, here’s a TL;DR to help you out:
- Monday (月曜日 – Getsuyōbi) = Moon Day
- Tuesday (火曜日 – Kayōbi) = Fire Day (Mars)
- Wednesday (水曜日 – Suiyōbi) = Water Day (Mercury)
- Thursday (木曜日 – Mokuyōbi) = Wood Day (Jupiter)
- Friday (金曜日 – Kinyōbi) = Gold Day (Venus)
- Saturday (土曜日 – Doyōbi) = Earth Day (Saturn)
- Sunday (日曜日 – Nichiyōbi) = Sun Day
So, Why Do the Japanese Weekdays Follow This Pattern?
The answer lies in ancient Chinese cosmology and astrology. The seven-day week structure comes from the five classical elements (fire, water, wood, metal, and earth) combined with the sun and moon. Japan borrowed this system and turned it into what we see today.
Cool, right?
Wrapping Up: What Now?
Now that you know the Japanese weekdays, it’s time to practice! Try using them in daily conversations, or challenge yourself to remember them by matching them with their planetary elements.
And hey, if you ever forget, just come back and read this again (because let’s be real, who remembers things after reading them once?).
Got a favorite day? Or a ridiculous way to remember them? Drop it in the comments! Until next time, matane! (See you later!)